How Long Does Freedom Cry Take to Beat? The Definitive Guide
Freedom Cry, the standalone downloadable content (DLC) for Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, offers a compelling and distinct experience from its parent game. A crucial question for potential players is: How long does Freedom Cry take to beat? The answer, in short, depends on your playstyle, but generally, you can expect the main story to take around 4-6 hours. However, completing everything Freedom Cry has to offer will naturally extend that playtime.
Main Story Completion Time
The core narrative of Freedom Cry, which focuses on Adewale’s quest to free slaves in Saint-Domingue (present-day Haiti), is relatively concise. Focusing solely on the main missions will typically take you between 4 and 6 hours. This assumes a moderate pace, where you’re not rushing through dialogues or skipping cutscenes, but also not getting overly distracted by side activities.
Completionist Playthrough Time
If you’re a completionist, aiming to unlock all achievements/trophies, complete all side missions, and fully explore the Caribbean setting, you’re looking at a considerably longer playtime. A completionist playthrough of Freedom Cry can easily take 8-12 hours, or even longer depending on your efficiency and how much you enjoy the open-world exploration. This involves:
- Liberating all slaves: A key aspect of the game involves freeing slaves from plantations and slave ships.
- Completing all side missions: Freedom Cry features numerous side quests, often involving helping runaway slaves or disrupting the slave trade.
- Collecting all collectibles: This includes finding hidden chests, shipwrecks, and other hidden items scattered throughout the game world.
- Upgrading Adewale’s equipment and the Experto Crede: Maximizing Adewale’s combat abilities and his ship’s strength is crucial for tackling tougher challenges.
Factors Influencing Playtime
Several factors can influence how long it takes you to complete Freedom Cry:
- Difficulty Level: Playing on a higher difficulty setting will naturally increase the time it takes to complete missions, as enemies are tougher and stealth becomes more crucial.
- Playstyle: A stealthy playstyle, focusing on avoiding direct combat, can be slower than a more aggressive approach.
- Familiarity with Assassin’s Creed IV: If you’re already familiar with the mechanics and gameplay of Black Flag, you’ll likely progress through Freedom Cry more quickly.
- Exploration: Spending time exploring the islands and discovering hidden secrets will extend your playtime.
- Skill Level: Your proficiency in combat, parkour, and naval navigation will directly impact how quickly you can overcome challenges.
Is Freedom Cry Worth Playing?
Despite its relatively short length, Freedom Cry is widely considered to be a worthwhile experience for fans of the Assassin’s Creed series. It offers a compelling story, a unique protagonist, and tackles the sensitive topic of slavery with a degree of nuance. The gameplay is also refined and enjoyable, building upon the foundation of Black Flag while introducing new mechanics and challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Freedom Cry
1. Is Freedom Cry a standalone game or DLC?
Freedom Cry was originally released as a standalone DLC for Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. It can be purchased and played without owning the base game. However, it is often included in versions like Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Gold Edition.
2. Does Freedom Cry require Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag to play?
No, Freedom Cry does not require Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag to play, if you purchase the standalone version.
3. How long does it take to 100% complete Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag and Freedom Cry?
Completing both Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag and Freedom Cry to 100% can take a significant amount of time. Black Flag itself can take 50-80 hours, while Freedom Cry adds another 8-12 hours to the total. Therefore, expect around 60-90 hours in total.
4. Is Freedom Cry available on all platforms?
Freedom Cry is available on most platforms where Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag was released, including PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and PC. However, availability may vary depending on the region and digital storefront.
5. What is the main story about in Freedom Cry?
The main story of Freedom Cry follows Adewale, Edward Kenway’s former quartermaster, fifteen years after the events of Black Flag. He becomes an Assassin and fights to free slaves in the Caribbean, specifically in Saint-Domingue. The narrative explores the brutality of the slave trade and Adewale’s personal journey as he grapples with the moral complexities of his mission.
6. What new weapons and equipment are available in Freedom Cry?
Freedom Cry introduces new weapons and equipment for Adewale, including the machete, a powerful melee weapon, and the blunderbuss, a devastating close-range firearm. Adewale can also upgrade his ship, the Experto Crede, with various improvements.
7. Does Freedom Cry have a multiplayer mode?
No, Freedom Cry does not have a multiplayer mode. It is a single-player experience focused on Adewale’s story.
8. How does the slavery mechanic work in Freedom Cry?
A central gameplay mechanic in Freedom Cry revolves around liberating slaves. Adewale can free slaves from plantations, slave ships, and auctions. Rescuing slaves increases his notoriety, attracting the attention of slave traders and plantation owners, but also provides him with recruits and resources.
9. What is the approximate size of the Freedom Cry download?
The download size of Freedom Cry varies depending on the platform but is generally around 4-5 GB.
10. Is Freedom Cry a direct sequel to Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag?
Freedom Cry is not a direct sequel, but rather a standalone expansion that tells a story within the same universe. It features a new protagonist and setting, but builds upon the gameplay mechanics and themes of Black Flag.
11. Does Freedom Cry have a different ending than Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag?
Yes, Freedom Cry has its own unique ending that concludes Adewale’s story arc.
12. Are there any missable achievements/trophies in Freedom Cry?
There are no strictly missable achievements or trophies that require restarting the game. However, certain achievements may be easier to obtain at specific points in the story. It’s recommended to consult a guide if you’re aiming for 100% completion.
13. Is Freedom Cry a darker and more serious game than Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag?
Yes, Freedom Cry generally has a darker and more serious tone than Black Flag. It deals with the sensitive subject of slavery and explores the harsh realities of the Caribbean during that era.
14. Can I free roam after completing the main story in Freedom Cry?
Yes, you can free roam after completing the main story of Freedom Cry. This allows you to complete any remaining side missions, collectibles, or activities.
15. Is Freedom Cry available on Nintendo Switch?
As of the current date, Freedom Cry is not available on the Nintendo Switch as a standalone title. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag is available on the Nintendo Switch, but Freedom Cry may not be included or accessible as a separate piece of content. Always check the specific game edition’s contents to confirm its availability.